Sponsor: Workforce Solutions
Title
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Grant Award from Minnesota Department of Human Services for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training
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Recommendation
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1. Ratify the submittal of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training Workplan and grant application to the Minnesota Department of Human Services for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training.
2. Authorize the acceptance and expenditure of grant awarded funds of $105,623 from the Minnesota Department of Human Services for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training for the period of October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024.
3. Authorize the County Manager to execute the Grant Allocation Award.
4. Authorize the County Manager to apply for and accept additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training grant funds from the Minnesota Department of Human Services for the period of October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024.
5. Authorize the County Manager to execute amendments to the agreement in accordance with the county’s procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the limits of available funding.
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Background and Rationale
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Ramsey County Workforce Solutions administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) for all eligible Ramsey County residents on behalf of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). Workforce Solutions’ goal is to help SNAP E&T eligible residents fully utilize their SNAP benefits, gain essential skills needed for gainful employment, and successfully transition off public assistance.
SNAP E&T is a voluntary program which requires active participation to continue receiving ongoing food benefits. SNAP E&T provides employment and training services to single adults without children and low-income families who are not eligible for other public assistance programs.
SNAP participants are offered SNAP E&T activities such as job search, coordination and referral to vocational training and other social services that will improve their employment prospects.
Workforce Solutions is required to provide SNAP E&T services and submit an annual Workplan to DHS to receive funds to operate the SNAP E&T program. Due to the tight timeline provided by DHS for the submission of the SNAP E&T Workplan, a timely request for board action was not feasible. On July 14, 2023, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners was advised by memo of Workforce Solutions’ intent to bring a request for board action to the Ramsey County Board upon receiving notice of the funding award.
On July 18, 2023, Ramsey County, Workforce Solutions submitted the SNAP E&T Workplan
to DHS requesting the preliminary allocation of 100% funding for $61,806 and $40,000 in SNAP
50/50 reimbursement. The actual amount for 100% funding will be determined by DHS based on the funds received.
On October 2, 2023, Workforce Solutions was allocated $105,623 ($65,623 for SNAP 100 and support services and $40,000 for SNAP 50/50) from DHS, which is the same as last year’s initial allocation. This year, DHS received federal allocation of $1,257,068, of this, $380,343 is allocated to counties and tribes for SNAP 100. The SNAP 100 base allocation is determined using the local area proportion of SNAP recipients potentially eligible for E&T services to the statewide totals. Aside from the initial allocation, if additional funding is available, counties can request for additional funds. Last program year, Workforce Solutions received a total allocation of $179,656 from SNAP 100 and $40,000 for SNAP 50/50.
The funds will be used to serve up to 200 SNAP E&T participants for the period of October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024 and will cover transportation costs (bus/gas cards), employment and education-related expenses, such as work clothes, work tools, books and testing fees.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Funding will be used to serve low-income Ramsey County residents who are receiving food support benefits and enrolled in SNAP E&T. The SNAP E&T program primarily supports people with multiple barriers to employment by assisting with case coordination, employment services, job search skill building and placement, and referrals to training services. In Ramsey County, almost half served are racially and ethnically diverse and indigenous. The current demographic for SNAP E&T participants includes 2% American Indian, 9% Asian, 32% African American,9% Hispanic, 39% White and 9% multi-race.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Workforce Solutions is working increase enrollment to SNAP E&T and to improve SNAP E&T programming. Workforce Solutions anticipates conduct a community engagement to gather input from participants to improve SNAP E&T service delivery.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Historically, the potential exists for additional funding to be received from DHS mid-year Federal Fiscal Year 2024. In 2023,the initial funding received was $105,623, additional mid-year funding received was $114,033 for a total of $219,656.
Last Previous Action
On November 8, 2022, the Ramsey County Board approved an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human services to provide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training Services (Resolution B2022-251).
Attachments
1. Memorandum to the Ramsey County Board
2. SNAP E&T Workplan
3. Award Letter